Best Mage Build in World of Warcraft

After years of exploring various massively multiplayer online role-playing games, it becomes evident that only one game has truly cracked the code and perfected the formula. World of Warcraft is the best MMORPG, and this goes without saying. It's simply Blizzard Entertainment's masterpiece, alongside Diablo IV and Overwatch 2. 

If you've not been inducted, allow me to shed some light. Upon entering the world of Azeroth, you start by choosing a faction (the Alliance and the Hordes have been at each other for years) and then a class. That brings us to our focus. While World of Warcraft offers diverse classes to suit various play styles, the Mage class emerges as an ideal choice. Why, you may ask? Mages wield formidable powers, delivering intense bursts of damage that leave adversaries in awe. Don't believe me? You can deduce it from our best mage build in the World of Warcraft ranking below.

5. Frost Mage – Winter's Chill Build

The frost mage build is your ideal choice for that icy-cold takedown. As you may have guessed, this build specialization is frost, which is excellent at kiting enemies and dealing insane damage. The class enjoys plenty of perks, like Shatter, which lets you freeze enemies by their roots. Winter's Chill talent helps you debuff a target, increasing the critical strike chance of any Frost spells against them. Ideally, you need to spend procs or generate them. For instance, you gain a massive Critical Strike Bonus by casting Ray of Frost after Casting Flurry. With Ice Shards, you can enhance the critical strike damage of Frost Spells. Ice Block provides a defensive cooldown, allowing the mage to encase themselves in ice and negate incoming damage.

Moreover, Frost Mages are valued in raids for their ability to apply Winter's Chill, which is a massive win for any raid group. Also, the class has exceptional mobility with Shimmer, which teleports you forward and Alter Time, which takes you back to your current location and health after casting a second spell.

4. Fire Mage – Combustion Build

If you've heard about the catchphrase' fight fire with fire' and wondered about its impracticality, I'm here to tell you that it's because it ignites plenty of possibilities (a horrible pun intended). The Fire Mage is well known for maximizing burst damage during Combustion and dealing greater damage when in high health. This build focuses on cleave instead of spreading damage.

The Pyroblasts fire an insane, fiery boulder that deals fire damage. If your target's health is above 70% or below 30%, the Pyroblasts' initial damage increases by 5%. Firestarter enables the mage to cast Fireball while moving, maintaining a continuous stream of damage. Pyroclasm enhances the critical strike chance of Fireball and Pyroblast after casting a non-instant Pyroblast. Combustion is a powerful cooldown that significantly increases the critical strike chance and damage of Fire spells, creating a potent window for massive damage output. Like the Frost Mage, Fire Mages have extreme survivability thanks to Blazing Barrier, Alter Time, Ice Block, Mirror Image and Greater Invisibility.

3. Arcane Mage – Arcane Power Build

If Azeroth were to have a Marvel crossover, then the Arcane Mage would be best buddies with Dr. Strange. It's the only mage build that can rewind time faster and more frequently, making them quite mobile. The build maximizes burst damage in short windows, especially during the Arcane Power cooldown.

Moreover, Arcane Mages are great at defensive spell-casting, making them the tankiest class in the game. When overpowered by adversaries, Blink frees you from any stuns, and it can also teleport you. Frost Nova will blast any enemies a few meters ahead of you. However, Arcane Power significantly boosts spell damage at the cost of increased mana consumption. Also, Presence of Mind allows for instant-cast spells, contributing to the burst rotation. Overpowered enhances Arcane Power's duration and increases its critical strike chance. This build delivers intense damage during short windows, making it effective for burst phases during encounters.

2. Arcane Mage – Mastery Build

The Arcane Mage Mastery Build in World of Warcraft is all about a steady and sustained approach to combat. Focusing on the Arcane specialization, this build leverages the Mastery stat to increase the damage of Arcane spells.

The Rule of Three talent occasionally allows for casting spells without using resources. Amplification boosts the impact of key spells, ensuring a reliable stream of damage. While Overpowered is still part of the build, it works hand-in-hand with the Arcane Power cooldown for enhanced burst damage. This Mastery build is more forgiving in managing mana than other, more explosive builds. In summary, it provides a balanced mix of steady damage, resource management, and occasional bursts for Arcane Mages.

1. Raid Support Mage – Arcane/Frost Hybrid

If you are the type of person who prioritizes helping your aid group over personal damage output, this is the ideal build for you. The Raid Support Mage (an Arcane/Frost Hybrid) balances Arcane and Frost talents, bringing unique utility to the table. Arcane Intellect is a pivotal aspect, providing a crucial buff that increases the intellect of all party and raid members, thereby boosting their overall spell power.

Moreover, you also get the Frost talent Winter's Chill in the hybrid setup, which serves the strategic purpose of applying a debuff on raid bosses. This debuff significantly enhances the critical strike chance of Frost spells for all raid members, making the mage a valuable asset for increasing overall group damage. Additionally, Improved Counterspell adds utility by providing an interrupt with an added silence effect. While this hybrid approach does involve a sacrifice in personal damage potential, the trade-off lies in the substantial benefits and support the mage brings to the raid, making them an indispensable member of any group.

And there you have it. What do you think about our Best Mage Build in World of Warcraft? Which build will you be picking? Are there other Mage Builds you would recommend? Let us know over on our socials here.